'There is no grand plan. It's just spin': Ministers hit out as PM says his blueprint for UK will be out in weeks
By HARRIE KEAN and JASON GROVES, POLITICAL EDITOR and DAN HODGES, DAILY MAIL COLUMNIST
Published: | Updated:
The Prime Minister was branded 'the man with no plan' as ministers warned efforts to turn his grand promises into reality are descending into 'chaos'.
Andy Burnham was stung into announcing that his much-vaunted ten-year plan will be rushed out before Christmas after Kemi Badenoch mocked him for needing management consultants to write it for him.
Insiders said officials are struggling to translate his pledge to reverse '40 years of neoliberalism' into a deliverable plan for government.
There are also tensions over how to pay for his promises, such as a new National Care Service and restoration of public control over privatised utilities.
One minister said there 'isn't any clear strategy', with Mr Burnham's team 'still trying to find their feet'.
The source added: 'They're good at the optics and presentation to an extent. But the idea there's some grand plan that's been mapped out is just spin. It's all a bit chaotic.'
Another said: 'There are lots of people inside No10 scrabbling around trying to make this ten-year plan real.
'The problem is they can't get Andy to take a clear decision on any of the fundamental issues.'
Andy Burnham (pictured at Wednesday's Prime Minister's Questions) was stung into announcing that his much-vaunted ten-year plan will be rushed out before Christmas after Kemi Badenoch mocked him for needing management consultants to write it for him
The Tory leader Kemi Badenoch speaking during Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons on November 11
Whitehall sources said next month's 'plan' is now likely to be another list of Mr Burnham's priorities, which will then kick off months of consultation about how to turn them into reality.
Speaking after his coronation as Labour leader in July, Mr Burnham boasted: 'I have a plan.'
Three days later he admitted he was still working on it, saying: 'Later this year I will bring forward a plan.'
Last week he acknowledged the timetable was slipping, saying 'to be honest' the plan may be delayed until next year.
The prospect of further delay led to Labour MPs warning of 'drift' – and triggered mockery from the Conservatives.
During clashes with Tory leader Mrs Badenoch on Wednesday, the PM said the strategy will be published before Parliament breaks for the Christmas recess on December 17.
It also emerged Downing Street has drafted in the help of Boston Consulting Group to advise on the strategy.
No10 confirmed that a consultant from the firm is involved in writing it, despite anger on the Left at the company's reported involvement in Donald Trump's controversial Gaza Riviera plan to turn the war-torn territory into a destination for wealthy tourists.
During Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, Mrs Badenoch derided reports that a modest proposal to merge the quangos responsible for driving licences and vehicle standards will form a key part of the ten-year vision.
'I'm not surprised he's asked management consultants to help him,' she told laughing MPs. 'He needs all the help that he can get.'
She added: 'This Government is totally adrift. They need consultants to tell them what to think.
'They need civil servants to tell them what to do. So, we are left with a do-nothing budget, a spending review delayed, a ten-year plan outsourced. Meanwhile, the whole country is in limbo.
'Labour MPs want to pretend that Keir Starmer simply walked off into the sunset, when in reality this man knifed him in the back and now doesn't know what to do.'
Mr Burnham replied: 'She will see our plan for Britain next month presented to this House.
'It will lay a new path for this country, breaking with the failed policies of the party opposite.'
The Prime Minister's press secretary said: 'The Government is committed to delivering an ambitious, incredible ten-year plan, drawing on the best expertise available both inside and outside government.
'Any external support is limited, short-term and focused on specific specialist advice.'
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